Ripples of Despair - Shining a light on the impact of lives lost to alcohol, drugs, and suicide (2024)
System and service factors
Services play an important role in supporting those at risk of harm from alcohol, drugs and suicide. Recover-focused interventions that prioritise holistic joined-up care can help individuals rebuild protective factors like stable relationships, employment and housing. These services and interventions include:
Talking therapies
Talking therapies are psychological treatments for mental and emotional problems like stress, anxiety and depression. There are several different types of talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Gateshead Talking Therapies offers free and confidential NHS support for those aged 16 and over who are registered with a GP in Gateshead, providing treatment to help individuals cope and recover.
Crisis support
Gateshead have four Crisis Beds for adults in mental health crises, offering short-term support for up to four weeks as an alternative to hospital admission. Staffed 24/7, these beds address urgent needs while helping to prevent acute mental health admissions.
In 2025, Gateshead will launch a Safe Haven, operating daily from 3-11pm. This service will offer rapid, non-clinical support to individuals experiencing crises, reducing distress, providing a listening ear, and offering practical guidance.
Alcohol IBA
Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) offers simple, effective advice to individuals drinking at risky levels, helping them reduce harm (152).
While commissioned within GP and pharmacy services in Gateshead, IBA is also delivered in settings like homeless services, ensuring those not registered with a GP can access support and referrals to specialist services.
Naloxone
Naloxone is a life-saving emergency antidote to opioid overdose, temporarily reversing its effects (153). It may reduce the number of opioid related deaths, which make up the largest proportion of drug related deaths (154).
In Gateshead, Naloxone is distributed through commissioned drug and alcohol services, participating pharmacies and as part of discharge plans for at-risk patients at the QE hospital.
Employment support / IPS
Individual Placement Support (IPS) supports people with severe mental health conditions or substance use issues by helping them find and retain meaningful employment (130). Embedded within Gateshead's drug, alcohol and mental health services, IPS connects individuals with roles that match their strengths and ambitions, contribution to recovery and social inclusion.
Specialist alcohol and drug treatment services
Gateshead offers specialist treatment and recovery services for both adults (Gateshead Recovery Partnership) and young people (Positive Futures).
These services improve public health, reduce harm and generate system-wide savings by preventing costly health, social care, and crime-related issues (155).
Specialist Alcohol and Drug Liaison Nurse
Gateshead's Specialist Alcohol and Drug Liaison Nurse works within the Psychiatric Liaison Team at the QE Hospital, providing assessments, interventions and continuity of care.
By connecting hospitalised patients with community services, the nurse ensures smooth transitions and ongoing support for recovery.
Crisis team
The Newcastle and Gateshead Crisis Team offers 24/7 mental health support for young people and adults in crisis. Comprising nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, and pharmacists, the team provides assessments and home-based treatment as an alternative to hospital admission.
Alcohol Care Team
The QE Hospital's Alcohol Care Team delivers specialist interventions, including medically assisted withdrawal and discharge planning. They work closely with community alcohol services to ensure patients receive ongoing care and support after leaving the hospital.